The Main Library of the Rapides Parish Library System began serving the greater Alexandria/ Pineville community in 1942 from the fourth floor of the Rapides Parish Courthouse. To accommodate the library's growing clientele, Librarian Marion Taylor and Board Chairman Frank O. Hunter oversaw construction in 1965 of a new home for the Main Library at its current location at 411 Washington Street. Today, the Main Library continues its tradition of service to the children, teens and adults of the community through a vast collection of materials including books, periodicals, video cassettes, audio cassettes, DVDs and CDs.
     The Main Library provides many special services to support its customers in developing and expanding ties to the global community. The Reference Department provides access to various regional, state and national newspapers. Reference also has access to the Internet and maintains a public access terminal to provide customers direct access to the WWW. Among the many computer services available at the Reference Desk are: Infotrac work stations with many full text magazine articles; Value Line Investment Service (regular and expanded editions). The Main Library also has the Louisiana Census records on microfilm from 1820 through 1930 and the The Town Talk on microfilm from 1883 through the present day.
     In its continuing efforts to serve the Rapides Parish community as a whole, the Main Library houses the Loans Department, Red Carpet Service, The Bookmobile,  Acquisitions and Technical Services. The Loans Department can acquire library materials for our customers from libraries across the country. Acquisitions and Technical Servies oversees selection, purchasing, cataloging and delivery of library materials to the other Rapides Parish Library branches.
     In order to help its young customers develop a greater love for reading, the Main Library offers pre-school and toddler story times. The Pre-school storytimes are held every Tuesday at 10:00am. Toddler storytimes are held every Thursday at 10:00am.

Storytime Schedule

ADDRESS
411 Washington Street 
Alexandria, LA 71301-8338 
 
PHONE
Circulation: 318/445-2411 or 2412 ext. 201
Reference: 318/442-1840 ext. 203
Fax Line: 318/445-6478
Technical Services: 318/442-1858 ext. 211
Loans Department: 318/448-8125 ext.
220
Acquisitions: 318/442-1858 ext. 224

HOURS
== Circulation & Reference ==
9:00-8:00 Monday - Thursday
9:00-6:00 Friday & Saturday
1:00-5:00 Sunday 
== Technical Services ==
8:00-6:00 Monday - Saturday
== Loans Department ==
8:00-5:00 Monday - Friday

STAFF
Wesley H. Saunders - Main Library Administrator  Ext. 207
whsaunders@rpl.org

Brenda Harvey: Circulation Manager
Ext. 200
bhharvey@rpl.org

Linda Green: Reference Manager
Ext. 203
lrgreen@rpl.org

Tammy DiBartolo: Children's Services Manager  Ext. 206
youthservices@rpl.org

Susan Baker: Preschool Outreach Manager  Ext. 212
sfbaker@rpl.org

Angela Lee: Loans Manager  Ext. 220
adlee@rpl.org

Margie Mealer: Adult Outreach Manager 
Ext. 221
mcmealer@rpl.org

Mariann Strange: Bookmobile Manager 
Ext. 222
mastrange@rpl.org

Betty Brimer: Acquisitions Manager 
Ext. 224
bkbrimer@rpl.org

Lisa Salard: Technical Services Manager
Ext. 211
lasalard@rpl.org